Clinical Social Worker-LCSW-Maternal Child Health Inpatient

Under the clinical supervision of the Department Director and/or Manager (or LCSW/LICSW), utilizes clinical social work techniques and theory to provide consultation, assessment, treatment interventions, and advocacy for a diverse population of patients and their families. Utilizes a biopsychosocial approach to healthcare while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to provide case management and crisis intervention for a wide range of complex social factors and determinants of health.

Responsibilities

• Completes biopsychosocial assessments and other specialized trauma assessments, utilizing the department’s psychosocial assessment tool as a guideline.
• Provides brief, solution-focused interventions and develops safety plans with patients as needed.
• Provides trauma-informed, strengths-based, crisis interventions on behalf of patients and families as needed.
• Develops rapport and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Utilizes Social Work techniques including motivational interviewing, reflective listening, and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral treatment to support patients and families.
• Assists patients and families in coping with newly diagnosed and/or chronic illness to achieve improved functioning and emotional state.
• Ensures admitted patients (inpatient) and family remain apprised, involved, supported, and treated through prescribed clinical relationship via at least weekly contacts and whenever a change in care or plan requires more contact.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively and proactively with multi-disciplinary medical teams and community providers on behalf of patients and families.
• Screens and assesses patients for needs regarding social determinants of health.
• Screens and assesses to identify protective needs relative to child/disabled/child abuse, intimate partner violence, and community violence.
• Reports any and all suspected cases of abuse and neglect and follows up to ensure patient receives timely comprehensive consultations and compliance with legal mandates.
• Provides referrals, counseling, case management, and advocacy on behalf of patients and families relative to health issues: substance misuse, disabilities, mental health concerns, homelessness, and end-of-life needs.
• Provides consultation and referrals relative to community resources and a broad range of services, including, but not limited to: healthcare support services, social services, financial assistance, child-care, housing, financial entitlements, clothing, transportation, food pantries, etc.
• Utilizes the electronic health record (EPIC) and other IT interfaces as necessary to track and monitor patients.
• Begins assessment for an inpatient within 24 hours of referral and completes within two interviews or within seven working days of referral.
• Begins assessment for an outpatient as soon as patient permits and completes within two interviews.
• Completes assessment for an Emergency Department patient within four hours of discharge.
• Complies with departmental, regulatory, and professional requirements for documentation and data collection. Submits department statistics and other records and reports within required time frames.
• Maintains patient confidentiality according to hospital policy. Practices professional discretion when determining the inclusion of any patient information into medical record or department clinical record notes.
• Documents each patient encounter in the medical record or the Department clinical record concurrently according to Department policies.
• Participates in social work committees and departmental work groups.
• Provides other administrative and special project assistance as required or assigned.
• Promotes a positive and collaborative work environment supportive of the hospital’s missions and goals.
• Remains knowledgeable of and follows appropriate policies, procedures, and work standards, including but not limited to, policy regarding hours of work, absenteeism, and tardiness.
• Attends hospital-required and relevant meetings, training sessions, or activities, as assigned.
• Attends scheduled staff meetings and in-service education program offerings with punctuality and consistency.
• Maintains competency in areas of responsibility to ensure quality of care.
• Performs other duties as assigned or necessary, including offering assistance to other team members and adjusting assignments.
• Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards, guided by the NASW Social Work Code of Ethics, as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the hospital’s goals and mission.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree (MSW) from an accredited School of Social Work, obtained prior to employment.
• Must sit for the Massachusetts Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Certification exam within the first 90 days from date of hire.
• Must obtain Massachusetts Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Certification within 6 months of hire.
• One to two years of on-the-job training; pre-MSW experience will be considered.

Skills

• Knowledge of community resources and agencies that serve adults, children, and families.
• Advanced interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with various healthcare professionals and to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment (sense of humor is valued).
• Ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary team.
• Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of racial and ethnic populations. Bicultural/Bilingual competency a plus.
• Computer literacy with ability to use standard word processing, spreadsheet programs, and email (e.g., MS Word, Excel, Outlook) and web browsers.

Schedule

• Full-time: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
• One weekend per month required
• One holiday per year required

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403(b) savings matches
• Earned time cash out
• Paid time off
• Career advancement opportunities
• Resources to support employee and family wellbeing

Pay

Compensation range: $34.81–$43.26 per hour ($72,300–$89,900 per year). This range offers an estimate based on minimum job qualifications. Base pay is determined by education, experience, and licensure/certifications directly related to position requirements.

Supervision

• All full-time MSW and LCSW social workers receive weekly clinical supervision.
• All full-time social workers receive monthly administrative supervision.
• All full-time social workers are provided with monthly group supervision.